08-09-2018, 08:53 AM
My original intent with 55n3 was to build 1870s three foot narrow gauge. Then someone asked if On30 Bachmann equipment could be used for 55n3 and got diverted to that tangent.
Scale55 is the only scale that early three foot narrow gauge works easily. Being HO gauge the use of HO mechanisms and locomotives come into play.
The MDC/Athearn 2-6-0 is a good fit for 55n3. The straight boiler is typical of early D&RG locomotives. New smaller drivers are available from UK suppliers.
![[Image: mdc_260_1.jpg]](http://www.55n3.info/pioneer/image/mdc_260_1.jpg)
Wondered if my stockpile of IHC/Rivarossi 4-4-0 could be used as 55n3.
Found a early porter drawing and compared. Yipes! We have a seminal 4-4-0. Sound can be added like my HO Bachmann
4-4-0 upgrade.
![[Image: Ihc_porter1.jpg]](http://www.55n3.info/pioneer/image/Ihc_porter1.jpg)
![[Image: merged_ihc_1.jpg]](http://www.55n3.info/pioneer/image/merged_ihc_1.jpg)
The PBL Sn3 cars are a close match to the Ohio River and Western Box and other early narrow gauge boxes. The Sn3 cars are more about the gondolas and cattle cars.
Making gons is very labor intensive compared with house cars.
![[Image: ihc_pbl1.jpg]](http://www.55n3.info/pioneer/image/ihc_pbl1.jpg)
![[Image: pbl_gon1.jpg]](http://www.55n3.info/pioneer/image/pbl_gon1.jpg)
The trucks can be regauged easily.
![[Image: pbl_regauged2.jpg]](http://www.55n3.info/pioneer/image/pbl_regauged2.jpg)
Now your question will be "Why not just Sn3?", because Sn3 and the other scales don't have motive power for 1870's narrow gauge.
Harold
Scale55 is the only scale that early three foot narrow gauge works easily. Being HO gauge the use of HO mechanisms and locomotives come into play.
The MDC/Athearn 2-6-0 is a good fit for 55n3. The straight boiler is typical of early D&RG locomotives. New smaller drivers are available from UK suppliers.
Wondered if my stockpile of IHC/Rivarossi 4-4-0 could be used as 55n3.
Found a early porter drawing and compared. Yipes! We have a seminal 4-4-0. Sound can be added like my HO Bachmann
4-4-0 upgrade.
The PBL Sn3 cars are a close match to the Ohio River and Western Box and other early narrow gauge boxes. The Sn3 cars are more about the gondolas and cattle cars.
Making gons is very labor intensive compared with house cars.
The trucks can be regauged easily.
Now your question will be "Why not just Sn3?", because Sn3 and the other scales don't have motive power for 1870's narrow gauge.
Harold